U.S. patent application number 11/379919 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-25 for retainer ring for wrench with box end.
Invention is credited to Bobby Hu.
Application Number | 20070245858 11/379919 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38618206 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070245858 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hu; Bobby |
October 25, 2007 |
RETAINER RING FOR WRENCH WITH BOX END
Abstract
A wrench includes a box end and a resilient retainer ring. The
box end includes an inner periphery having a plurality of corners
and defining a hole. An annular groove is defined in an end of the
inner periphery. The retainer ring is mounted in the annular
groove. The retainer ring includes at least two pressing sections
and at least one engaging section. The at least two pressing
sections simultaneously press against a bottom wall defining the
annular groove such that at least a portion of the at least one
engaging section is exposed to at least one of the corners of the
inner periphery.
Inventors: |
Hu; Bobby; (Taichung,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KAMRATH & ASSOCIATES P.A.
4825 OLSON MEMORIAL HIGHWAY
SUITE 245
GOLDEN VALLEY
MN
55422
US
|
Family ID: |
38618206 |
Appl. No.: |
11/379919 |
Filed: |
April 24, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
81/125 ;
81/60 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25B 23/0071 20130101;
B25B 13/461 20130101; B25B 13/06 20130101; B25B 13/481 20130101;
B25B 23/0035 20130101; B25B 13/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
081/125 ;
081/060 |
International
Class: |
B25B 13/02 20060101
B25B013/02; B25B 13/46 20060101 B25B013/46 |
Claims
1. A wrench comprising a box end and a resilient retainer ring, the
box end including an inner periphery having a plurality of comers
and defining a hole, an annular groove being defined in an end of
the inner periphery, the retainer ring being mounted in the annular
groove, the retainer ring having cross sections of a constant size,
the retainer ring including at least two pressing sections and at
least one engaging section located intermediate the at least two
pressing sections, with said at least one engaging section being
located radially inward relative to said at least two pressing
sections, said at least two pressing sections simultaneously
pressing against a bottom wall defining the annular groove while at
least a portion of said at least one engaging section is spaced
from the bottom wall defining the annular groove and is exposed to
at least one of the comers of the inner periphery.
2. The wrench as claimed in claim 1, with the inner periphery being
polygonal.
3. The wrench as claimed in claim 1, with the wrench further
comprising a drive member rotatably mounted in the box end, and
with said inner periphery and said annular groove for receiving the
retainer ring being defined in the drive member.
4. (canceled)
5. The wrench as claimed in claim 1, with the retainer ring
including two distal ends spaced by an opening that is smaller than
one third of a circumference of a circle on which the retainer ring
is located.
6. The wrench as claimed in claim 1, with the retainer ring
including two distal ends spaced by an opening, each said distal
end forming an associated one of said at least two pressing
sections.
7. The wrench as claimed in claim 6, with the retainer ring further
including a third pressing section opposed to the opening.
8. The wrench as claimed in claim 7, with the number of said at
least one engaging section is two, with the two engaging sections
of the retainer ring being respectively located on two sides of the
third pressing section.
9. The wrench as claimed in claim 1, with the hole of the wrench
being adapted for receiving an object to be driven by the wrench,
said object being stopped by said exposed portion of said at least
one engaging section and thus retained in the hole, allowing rapid
driving of the object.
10. The wrench as claimed in claim 9, with the retainer ring being
movable to a position surrounding said object by applying a force
to the wrench, allowing said object to be securely clamped by the
retainer ring.
11. The wrench as claimed in claim 10, with the retainer ring being
movable across said object by applying another force larger than
said force to the wrench.
12. The wrench as claimed in claim 8, with the hole of the wrench
being adapted for receiving an object to be driven by the wrench,
said object being stopped by said exposed portion of said at least
one engaging section and thus retained in the hole, allowing rapid
driving of the object.
13. The wrench as claimed in claim 12, with the retainer ring being
movable to a position surrounding said object by applying a force
to the wrench, allowing said object to be securely clamped by the
retainer ring.
14. The wrench as claimed in claim 13, with the retainer ring being
movable across said object by applying another force larger than
said force to the wrench.
15. A wrench comprising a box end and a retainer ring, a drive
member being rotatably mounted in the box end including an inner
periphery having a plurality of comers and defining a hole, an
annular groove being defined in an end of the inner periphery, the
retainer ring being mounted in the annular groove, the retainer
ring having cross sections of a constant size, the retainer ring
including at least two pressing sections and at least one engaging
section located intermediate the at least two pressing sections,
with said at least one engaging section being located radially
inward relative to said at least two pressing sections, said at
least two pressing sections simultaneously pressing against a
bottom wall defining the annular groove while at least a portion of
said at least one engaging section is spaced from the bottom wall
defining the annular groove and is exposed to at least one of the
comers of the inner periphery, the hole of the wrench being adapted
for receiving an object to be driven by the wrench, said object
being stopped by said exposed portion of said at least one engaging
section and thus retained in the hole, allowing rapid driving of
the object, the retainer ring being movable to a position
surrounding said object by applying a force to the wrench, allowing
said object to be securely clamped by the retainer ring, and with
the retainer ring being movable across said object by applying
another force larger than said force to the wrench.
16. (canceled)
17. The wrench as claimed in claim 15, with the retainer ring
including two distal ends spaced by an opening that is smaller than
one third of a circumference of a circle on which the retainer ring
locates.
18. The wrench as claimed in claim 15, with the retainer ring
including two distal ends spaced by an opening, each said distal
end forming an associated one of said at least two pressing
sections.
19. The wrench as claimed in claim 18, with the retainer ring
further including a third pressing section opposed to the
opening.
20. The wrench as claimed in claim 19, with the number of said at
least one engaging section is two, with the two engaging sections
of the retainer ring being respectively located on two sides of the
third pressing section.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a retainer ring for a
wrench. More particularly, the present invention relates to a
retainer ring for a wrench with a box end for securely retaining a
fastener during tightening/loosening of the fastener.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A typical wrench or spanner of the type having one or two
box ends includes a polygonal inner periphery in the box end. The
polygonal inner periphery is engaged with, e.g., a head of a bolt
or a nut, allowing the bolt or nut to be tightened or loosened upon
turning of the wrench or spanner. However, the bolt head or nut is
liable to slip out of the box end during tightening/loosening.
Further, it is difficult, undesirable, or even hazardous for a user
to place or remove the bolt or nut into or from a small,
difficult-to-access space or a dirty or high-temperature
environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a
wrench comprises a box end and a resilient retainer ring. The box
end includes an inner periphery having a plurality of corners and
defining a hole. An annular groove is defined in an end of the
inner periphery. The retainer ring is mounted in the annular
groove. The retainer ring includes at least two pressing sections
and at least one engaging section. The at least two pressing
sections simultaneously press against a bottom wall defining the
annular groove such that at least a portion of the at least one
engaging section is exposed to at least one of the corners of the
inner periphery.
[0006] Preferably, the inner periphery is polygonal.
[0007] In an example, the wrench further comprises a drive member
rotatably mounted in the box end. The inner periphery and the
annular groove for receiving the retainer ring are defined in the
drive member.
[0008] Preferably, the at least one engaging section is located
radially inward relative to the at least two pressing sections.
[0009] Preferably, the retainer ring includes two distal ends
spaced by an opening that is smaller than one third of a
circumference of a circle on which the retainer ring locates.
[0010] Preferably, the retainer ring includes two distal ends
spaced by an opening. Each distal end forms an associated one of
the at least two pressing sections.
[0011] Preferably, the retainer ring further includes a third
pressing section opposed to the opening.
[0012] In an example, the number of the at least one engaging
section is two, and the two engaging sections of the retainer ring
are respectively located on two sides of the third pressing
section.
[0013] The hole of the wrench is adapted for receiving an object to
be driven by the wrench. The object is stopped by the exposed
portion of the at least one engaging section and thus retained in
the hole, allowing rapid driving of the object.
[0014] The retainer ring may be movable to a position surrounding
the object by applying a force to the wrench, allowing the object
to be securely clamped by the retainer ring.
[0015] The retainer ring may be movable across the object by
applying another force larger than said force to the wrench.
[0016] Other objectives, advantages, and novel features of the
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a wrench
with a retainer ring in accordance with the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the wrench in FIG.
1.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an end of the wrench in FIG.
1.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3, wherein the
retainer ring is in an angular position 30 degrees ahead of that in
FIG. 3.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3, wherein the
retainer ring is in an angular position 50 degrees ahead of that in
FIG. 3.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a partially sectioned plan view of a portion of
the wrench coupled with a fastener.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a side view, partly sectioned, of the wrench and
the fastener in FIG. 6.
[0024] FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6, illustrating another use
of the retainer ring.
[0025] FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7, illustrating another use
of the retainer ring.
[0026] FIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating use of the wrench
in a difficult-to-access space.
[0027] FIG. 11 is a sectional view illustrating a further use of
the wrench in accordance with the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 12 is a sectional view illustrating use of the wrench
with a through-type socket.
[0029] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view illustrating use of
the wrench with an adaptor.
[0030] FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating use of the
retainer ring in accordance with the present invention with a
wrench of another type.
[0031] FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the wrench in
FIG. 14.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, an embodiment of a wrench 20
in accordance with the present invention comprises a box end 25 and
a retainer ring 10 mounted in the box end 25. In this embodiment, a
drive member 21 is rotatably mounted in the box end 25. The drive
member 21 includes an inner periphery that defines a hole 22 for
coupling with an object, such as a fastener, a through-type socket,
an adaptor, etc. The inner periphery may be polygonal and includes
a plurality of corners. An annular groove 23 is defined in an end
of the inner periphery. And the retainer ring 10 is received in the
annular groove 23.
[0033] The retainer ring 10 is a substantially C-shaped resilient
ring having an opening 13 between two distal ends 11a thereof, as
shown in FIG. 2. The retainer ring 10 includes at least two
pressing sections 11 that press against a bottom wall defining the
annular groove 23 and at least one engaging section 12. In this
embodiment, the retainer ring 10 includes two engaging sections 12
and three pressing sections 11 two of which are located on the
distal ends 11a of the retainer ring 10. The remaining, central
pressing section 11 is opposite to the opening 13 of the retainer
ring 10. The engaging sections 12 are respectively located on two
sides of the central pressing section 11. Preferably, the engaging
sections 12 are located radially inward relative to the pressing
sections 11.
[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 3, when the retainer ring 10 is
mounted in the annular groove 23 of the wrench 20, the pressing
sections 11 simultaneously press against the bottom wall defining
the annular groove 23 of the wrench 20 such that portions of the
engaging sections 12 are respectively exposed to the second corner
and the fourth corner of the hole 22 of the drive member 21. Thus,
the retainer ring 10 is securely retained in the annular groove 23
of the wrench 20 without the risk of wobbling and/or displacement
of the retainer ring 10.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 4, when the retainer ring 10 is engaged in
the annular groove 23 in another position (e.g., the retainer ring
10 is in an angular position 30 degrees ahead of that in FIG. 3),
the retainer ring 10 is securely retained in the annular groove 23
of the wrench 20 without the risk of wobbling and/or displacement,
as the pressing sections 11 simultaneously press against the bottom
wall defining the annular groove 23 of the wrench 20 and portions
of the engaging sections 12 are respectively exposed to the third
corner and the fifth corner of the hole 22 of the drive member
21.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 5, when the retainer ring 10 is engaged in
the annular groove 23 in another position (e.g., the retainer ring
10 is in an angular position 50 degrees ahead of that in FIG. 3),
the retainer ring 10 is securely retained in the annular groove 23
of the wrench 20 without the risk of wobbling and/or displacement,
as the pressing sections 11 simultaneously press against the bottom
wall defining the annular groove 23 of the wrench 20 and portions
of the engaging sections 12 are respectively exposed to the third
corner and the sixth corner of the hole 22 of the drive member
21.
[0037] It is thus noted that at least a portion of each engaging
section 12 is exposed to a corner of the hole 22 of the drive
member 21 regardless of the angular position of the retainer ring
10 in the annular groove 23 of the wrench 20. Preferably, the
opening 13 of the retainer ring 10 is smaller than one third of a
circumference of a circle on which the retainer ring 10
locates.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, when the wrench 20 is used to
drive a fastener 30, the fastener 30 is engaged in the hole 22 of
the drive member 21. Undesired disengagement of the fastener 30
from the hole 22 of the drive member 21 is avoided by the exposed
portions of the engaging sections 12 of the retainer ring 10. Thus,
the user may tighten/loosen the fastener 30 rapidly in a secure,
reliable manner. It is noted that the wrench 20 may include a
switch member 24 to change the driving direction and free rotation
direction of the wrench 20, which is conventional.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the user may apply a larger
force to the wrench 20 to force the exposed portions of the
engaging sections 12 to move across a distance on an outer
perimeter (not labeled) of the fastener 30. The retainer ring 10
expands radially outward such that the pressing sections 11 exert a
larger force to the bottom wall defining the annular groove 22 of
the drive member 21, and the fastener 30 is securely clamped by the
engaging portions 12 due to reactive force from the pressing
sections 11. This allows the fastener 30 to be removed together
with the wrench 20 after loosening operation, which is particularly
advantageous when the fastener 30 is in a difficult-to-access space
or in a dirty or high-temperature environment. Of course, the
fastener 30 can be firstly coupled in the hole 22 of the drive
member 21 and then carried by the wrench 20 to the desired location
for tightening purposes.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 10, the wrench 20 can be coupled with a
fastener 30 in a difficult-to-access space in an upside-down state
compared to that in FIG. 7.
[0041] FIG. 11 illustrates another use of the wrench 20 in
accordance with the present invention. In a case that a nut 35 is
mounted around a shank 32 of a bolt 31, the user may apply a larger
force to forcibly move the exposed portions of the engaging
sections 12 across the whole outer perimeter (not labeled) of a
head 34 of the bolt 31, allowing the nut 35 to be coupled in the
hole 22 of the drive member 21 for subsequent tightening/loosening
operation. After tightening/loosening operation, the wrench 20 can
be forcibly passed through the head 34 of the bolt 31 in a reverse
direction.
[0042] FIG. 12 illustrates use of the wrench 20 in accordance with
the present invention with a through-type socket 40 for driving a
fastener 30 in a recessed area.
[0043] FIG. 13 illustrates use of the wrench 20 in accordance with
the present invention with an adaptor 50 for driving a socket
51.
[0044] FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate use of the retainer ring 10 in
accordance with the present invention with a wrench 60 of another
type. In this embodiment, the wrench 60 comprises a box end 63
having an inner periphery that defines a hole 61 for coupling with
an object, such as a fastener, a through-type socket, an adaptor,
etc. An annular groove 62 is defined in an end of the inner
periphery. And the retainer ring 10 is received in the annular
groove 62. This embodiment provides the same advantages of the
embodiment of FIG. 1 except for the change in the driving direction
and the free rotating direction of the wrench 20.
[0045] It is noted that the numbers and the shapes of the pressing
sections 11 and the engaging sections 12 of the retainer ring 10 in
accordance with the present invention may vary according to
needs.
[0046] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described, numerous modifications and variations are still possible
without departing from the essence of the invention. The scope of
the invention is limited by the accompanying claims.
* * * * *